Non-submission of professional tax: Around 4,000 companies in Capital served notices

Islamabad: The Excise and Taxation (E&T) department, Islamabad has served notice to around 4,000 companies operating in federal capital over non submission of professional tax during last one month.

The department also seized 450 packets of smuggled cigarettes worth Rs100,000 besides issuing notices to over 250 outlets for selling illicit tobacco during the same period, Director (E&T) Bilal Azam told this agency.

The operation was conducted in different sectors of F series, G-15, D-17, Jinnah Super, Bahria town, CBR town, and petrol pumps along Grand Trunk (GT) road.

Azam said the local administration was paying special focus on checking sale of illicit tobacco near educational institutes and enforcement of all tobacco control laws across the city. In response to a query, he said, the Excise team issued warnings to the shop-keepers and asked them to get their licenses issued or renewed within one week before serving them notices.

When contacted, Deputy Director General (Health) Ministry of National Health Services Dr Minhaj us Siraj said licensing of tobacco vendors had proved to be a very effective tool in controlling unlawful sale of cigarettes. “This protects our kids from harmful effects of smoking and uneventful loss of life due to cancers and heart diseases,” he added.